NBA Playoffs Bracket 2012: Clippers vs. Grizzlies Will Steal the Show

The LA Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs is set. The home court advantage hasn't been determined, but either way, this will be an exciting series.

The front courts are both huge factors for both teams, but they are polar opposites.

The Clippers feature the high-flying Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, while the Grizzlies' bigs do their work on the floor.

Marc Gasol, Marreese Speights and Zach Randolph will never be called high flyers, but they get it done.

Let's take a closer look at the scenario surrounding home court advantage and this exciting series.

Here is an updated playoff bracket, via espn.com

LA Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Regular Season Series: 2-1, LAC

Though the Clippers did take two out of three from the Grizzlies in the regular season, each team defended their home court.

That is why the final game of the season for both teams is so big.

These teams are locked into the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, but the final game will determine the home-court advantage.

If the Clippers defeat the Knicks tonight in New York, they get the fourth seed, because they hold the tie-breaker. If they lose, they'll need the Grizzlies to lose at home to the Magic.

Not likely.

To say the Clippers need to bring it tonight is an understatement.

Neither of these teams have a winning record on the road at this point. The Clippers can—if they defeat the Knicks, they'll be 17-16 away from Staples Center. The Grizzlies are 15-18 on the road, so home court is huge in this series.

While I think the home court is going to give one team a huge edge, I think the Clippers are the only one of the two teams that could overcome not having it.

Why?

It comes down to big time players in the playoffs, especially in close games.

The Clippers have the series' best player in Chris Paul, and he has the ability to make plays and carry his team for stretches.

This figures to be a series that features several close games.

Before it gets to crunch time though, this series will hinge on defense—as most NBA contests do.

In the three regular season games, the team that held their opponents to the lowest field goal percentage has been victorious.

Nearly every other statistical trend has been inconsistent. That uncertainty is what makes this matchup so compelling.

From an excitement standpoint, it will be the premier matchup in the first round. Griffin and the Grizzlies' Rudy Gay are highlight reels waiting to happen, and Paul is just as exciting to watch.

Will the Grizzlies continue NBA teams' physical play on Griffin to discourage his posterizing finishes?

It's just another thing to watch as this series unfolds.

I would give the Clippers the edge, but it will be close and a must-see for NBA fans.

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